St. Francis Borgia

St. Francis Borgia was the 4th duke of Gandia, a Spanish noblemanJesuit, the third Superior General of the Society of Jesus. He wasinstrumental in spreading the Jesuits’ influence throughout Europe.

Early Life

He was born in Duchy of Gandia, Valencia on Oct 28, 1510. Fromchildhood, he was spiritual and desired to become a monk.

He was a kinsman at the court of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and alsoaccompaned the emperor on several campaigns. He completed his educationin Saragossa, Spain.

Adult Life

In Madrid, September 1529, he married a Portuguese noblewoman, Eleanorde Castro and they had eight children.

In 1539, (age 29), he became Viceroy of the Spanish region Catalonia,where he carried out the community and economic reforms.

He composed different musical ecclesiastical pieces and exposed acontrapuntal style and in Sixteenth century, he was the chief restorerof sacred music.

In 1543 his father (3rd Duke of Gandia) died, and Borgia resignedhimself as a duke and gave his title to his son, Carlos.

At the age of 33, after his wife’s death Eleanor in 1546, he devotedhimself to religious practice and entered the Society of Jesus, andbecame a Jesuit priest.

Lifetime Accomplishments

He established the Jesuit College in Gandia, in 1547 it changes to theuniversity, he also helped in the establishment of the GregorianUniversity in Rome.

He established new Provinces (Peru and New Spain) and colleges inEurope. He also founded Collegium Romanum in Rome.

For foreign missions he asked St. Pius to adopt two major policies,First, to compact their government; second, respectful rulers treat thelocal people group compassionately to win them to the confidence.

Life at a Monastery

In Spain, 1551, he has ordained a clergyman, and being sick and poor forhis last years, he left the governance and starts ventures of thesociety with full passion and devotion.

He was a man of his thoughts and drew much strength from the silence ofhis prayer. After a year he left for Spain, he started preaching there,many worshippers from far and wide hear him and preach.

On July 2, 1565, he was elected as third “Father General”, and closelyadministered all the undertakings of the rapidly extending order.

Death, Canonization and Patronage

1. His triumphs amid the period 1565-1572 have caused students of
   history to portray Francis as one of the most prominent Saints.

5 Interesting Facts About St. Francis Borgia

1. After his death, there appeared, in the constellation known as
   Cassiopeia’s Chair.
   3.He had been one of the most noticeable examples of the conversion of
   souls in the Catholic Church after the Renaissance.
   4.He was a supernatural occurrence child, her mother duchess made a vow,
   if she delivered a living son, she will give him the name of Seraphic
   Saint, Hours afterward, his birth was a wonder, the infant was lively
   and a boy.
2. In 1566 Francis Borgia confined the task of safeguarding the city as
   pope, he organized methods of calmness by his religious abilities and
   broken out the pestilential Fever.

Prayer to St. Francis Borgia

O Lord Jesus Christ,Who art both the example and the reward of true humility:we beseech Thee that even as Thoudidst make blessed Francis gloriousby following Thee in despising earthly honors,so Thou wouldst suffer us also to become his companionsalike in following Thee and in his glory.Who liveth and reigneth with God the Father,in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God,world without end.Amen.